C OMMUNITAS –
C LINT WOLCYN
We will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4)
I.
IMPORTANCE OF THE WORD (ESTABLISH FRAMEWORK MT 7:24-25) WITHOUT THE
WORD WE WOULD NOT KNOW WHO TO PRAY TO, THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER, HOW
TO PRAY, OR WHAT TO PRAY. THE WORD IS THE BASIS AND INSPIRATION TO A LIFE
OF PRAYER.
A.
The Word of God is central to a life of prayer . Without it we would not know who we are praying to, the purpose of praying, what to pray, or how. Prayer comes as a response to the revelation of God as seen in the Holy Scriptures. (with no biblical grounding our prayers become aimless, powerless, and Christ less, breeding deception ultimately unto apostasy)
B.
When it comes to the Bible there are two very common accusations that attack most believers.
Dismantling the lies that surround the Bible is foundational to allowing us to go deeper in the
Word of God and prayer.
1.
It’s not relevant (restrictive, dead letter, restrain) to my life; therefore, I am bored with it.
Leads to casting off restrain and lawlessness . (This lie breeds rebellion and disinterest in the things of God out of an arrogant attitude towards the Bible…If it wasn’t for God’s mercy this lie could have landed me in the lake of fire) (my story: never read biblebasketball camp story, Confirmation 9 th grade, College D- in Bible classes, IHOP Jan 07’,
Prayer meetings daily Spring 07’. This all to be said if you don’t enjoy the Bible yet, there is so much hope for you. Not saying this to try and be humble really…I am the least likely from all human standards to be up here teaching the Word, God in His Sovereign wisdom has chosen the most foolish (me) to show forth His glory and He changed my heart and caused me to love His word. Like a poor hungry beggar who has stumbled upon an endless buffet of the finest food in the world)
Legalism says we are saved by works; lawlessness says we are saved without works, but liberty (Christian position) says we are saved for works, but they are good works, works of love.
Legalism says, “We are going to make sure that you are not free to sin, by making rules and regulations. Lawlessness says, we are free to sin. Liberty says, we are free not to sin.
The Holy Scriptures…are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in
Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:15b-17)
Share Jack’s dream...It’s finite on the outside but infinite on the inside!
Communitas www.communitasmn.com

C OMMUNITAS – Clint Wolcyn
Page 2
He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him-the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)
“Did not our heart burn within us while He opened the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32)
2.
It’s too difficult to understand. I wouldn’t even know where to start. This lies brings shame and condemnation for never reading enough, and results in legalism . (Parable
Mark 4:26-29 this generally leads to fear of man, feeling rejected and condemned for your lack of meeting man’s Bible quota) don’t make a judgment after a week whether or not reading the bible is having an impact
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
(1 John 2:27)
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…(John 16:13)
The truth about the Word is that it’s incredibly relevant (being it sustains the entire universe and gives every human on earth life at every moment), my eternal destiny and inheritance are directly linked to hearing and obeying it. It’s not boring but all consuming fire of the emotion and zeal of God towards us. Also it isn’t difficult to understand because I have the author and teacher living in me. I am not condemned and don’t need to earn the favor of God by reading it but rather am free to go on the journey of discovering
God’s heart towards me by meditating upon it.
C.
The Three Fold Goal of Pray-Reading Scripture. To have a vision for your Bible time is crucial in sustaining restrain, consistency, and zeal in the long term. Your inheritance is absolutely dependant upon your personal, secret fellowship in the Word.(Having a vision not for the praise of man but to walk in the freedom of personal revelation of truth)
“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)
1.
Intimacy with God through beholding Jesus.
Communitas www.communitasmn.com

C OMMUNITAS – Clint Wolcyn
Page 3
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus
Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment…? Jesus said to him, “You shall love
(know & give in return) the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:36-38)
God is not an object that we inquire information about, but He is a person or identity to be known. (demons have accurate information about God, they know He created them, has power over them, the universe, ect…but they are in rebellion to Him due to a refusal of relationship, dependence upon, and obedience to Him.)
May be able to comprehend (experiential) with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know (by experience) the love of Christ which passes knowledge (goes beyond information)…(Eph 3:18-19)
Experiential love and affection are absolutely critical in our relationship with the Lord, but we must understand these are the fruits of intimacy not the substance. The reason we love is because we know. The way we grow to know is by revelation of truth by the Spirit from the Word.
Knowledge gives birth to affection. Love is the fruit of the knowledge (relational not factual) of God. The more we know Him by revelation the more intimate we become with
Him, and the more we intimate we become the more revelation we receive. This is what I call the “life” cycle. (the more we know the more we love, and the more we desire to know deeply)
2.
Transformation by the renewing of our minds through alignment with truth.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…(Romans 12:2)
3.
Proclamation of the Word for the glory of God, the salvation of men, and the perseverance of the saints. (many facets including by song, through parenting, discipleship, evangelism, writing, marketplace ministry, ect)
I charge you…Preach the Word!
(2 Timothy 4:1a-2a)
II.
CONVERSATION WITH GOD: PRAY-READING THE SCRIPTURES
Communitas www.communitasmn.com

C OMMUNITAS – Clint Wolcyn
Page 4
A.
The most substantial way in which we can strengthen our prayer lives is by feeding on the Word of God. This includes the simple yet profound act of conversing with God as we read His Word.
Scripture is what gives us “conversational material” for our prayer life and makes prayer enjoyable.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night…then you will make your way prosperous, and…will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
B.
Bible study must lead to dialogue with God. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for searching the
Scriptures without using them to develop a real relationship with Him. (John 5:39-41)
You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life (experience God); and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me (talk to or converse with) that you may have life (experience God). (John 5:39-40)
(Practically speaking there are numerous ways to study/read the Bible (by book, topic, word study, ect) The idea behind pray-reading the Bible is found in John 5:39-41.)
(The purpose of Bible study is to be lead into a dialogue, conversation, heart connect, and relationship with the God it reveals…If my study of the word doesn’t do that it will only serve to make me more religious)
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (Ps 119:11)
Power comes by the hiding of the word ( submitting to) of God in our hearts which strengthens us to resist demonic lies, temptations, and sin when it comes our way. (Exp James 4:7) The joy in freedom from sin is not found in man’s recognition but in unhindered communion with God!
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Practical example: Truth, God loves me…So I submit to that by receiving it, agreeing with it, embrace it, declare it…and as it changes me on an emotional level I then have power from that truth to resist the lies of “your no good, you suck, you’re a failure, no one likes you, ect.”
C.
Two broad categories of truth related to pray-reading the Word (meditating on Scripture) (the word is our launching pad into knowledge and communion with God. The power of God or
Satan operates in an individual’s life by there agreement with and obedience to either Jesus
(truth) or Satan (liar).
1.
Truth we are to “believe” or “agree with”
2.
Truth we are to “obey” or “act upon”
Communitas www.communitasmn.com

C OMMUNITAS – Clint Wolcyn
Page 5
D.
We actively dialogue with God by praying promises from His Word that we are “to believe.”
First, we thank God for a particular truth. We turn that truth into declarations of thanksgiving or trust. For example, we say, “Thank you that You love, forgive, lead, heal, deliver, and provide for me.” Second, we ask God to reveal these particular truths to us (Eph 1:17). For example, pray: “Father, reveal to me more of Your love, forgiveness, deliverance, and provision for me.”
E.
We actively dialogue with God by praying truths back to Him that exhort us
“to obey”
His
Word. First, we commit ourselves to obey God in the specific way set forth in a passage. We make declarations of our resolve to obey, saying, “I set my heart to obey in speech, time, money.” Second, we ask God to empower us to obey a particular truth. We ask God for help to give us wisdom, motivation, and power to obey in specific areas. For example, pray: “Father help me to love You, to bridle my tongue, to use my time and money in full obedience.”
F.
Take time to journal your thoughts and prayers as you “pray-read” through Scripture. This helps us to capture and deepen the truths the Holy Spirit gives us and develop language to use when talking (praying) with God.
G.
Take time to linger in His presence! Some call this soaking. (personal soaking testimony) Speak affectionately by saying, “Father I love you.” Speak slowly and softly (not shouting or preaching at God), briefly (short phrases not entire paragraphs), and minimally (listen more than speaking), with silence and many pauses .
H.
(If you are desiring to go deeper in God, to love Him more, and serve Him and others better…there is only one way to proceed, time spent in loving adoration, and meditation upon who He is as revealed in the Word.)
I.
E.M. Bounds “
Let it be said, that no two things are more essential to a spirit-filled life than
Bible-reading and secret prayer…
.”
III.
DO IT CORPORATELY
A.
John 15
Some Encouraging Resources on Prayer:
1.
“The Complete Works on Prayer” by E.M. Bounds
2.
“Intercession” by Dutch Sheets
3.
“With Christ in the School of Prayer” by Andrew Murray
4.
“7 Prayers to Strengthen your Inner Man” by Mike Bickle
Communitas www.communitasmn.com

C OMMUNITAS – Clint Wolcyn
Page 6
5.
“Secrets of the Secret Place” by Bob Sorge
Communitas www.communitasmn.com